Farooq Sattar along with the MQM top echelon including Raza Haroon and Iftikhar Akbar Randhawa along with zonal heads of MQM Multan were conducting a discussion with journalists at a meet-the-press at the Multan Press Club ahead of its impending rally on December 23.
Replying to a question on the promotion of feudalism and dynastic family politics by PTI when it announced Shah Mehmood Qureshi as its party’s Vice Chairman, Sattar said that the MQM was striving to bring about middle-class revolution, and that where there was dynastic politics, ad hocism would not end, and that there was a difference between talking of change and in bringing about change.
Answering a question regarding the release of MQM-Haqiqi chief Afaq Ahmed, MQM leaders said that they respected the decision of the judiciary and also respect this particular decision as well. “We firmly believe in independence of judiciary of Pakistan.”
(Read: MQM-H chief Afaq Ahmed released from Karachi jail)
Sattar suggested that there were forces working to undermine MQM’s rally in Multan, by detracting their attention. “Law and order situation in Karachi is jeopardised by design because they know the response of the people of Punjab and in other provinces joining MQM,” he said.
“They want to restrict us to Nine-Zero (MQM’s central offices in Karachi)but it’s the people who have empowered us all over the Pakistan.“
Sattar said that the MQM rally in Multan will be the biggest procession in the history of south Punjab Pakistan.
Talking about the rights of minorities, he said that the minorities in Pakistan were also human beings, and that people needed to realise this. Minorities are citizens of Pakistan and they too had a right to enjoy their independent practices, added Sattar.
MQM also criticised the government for delaying action against political tension until they reached tipping point before acting. Politicians and those sitting in government never control the politics of Pakistan, the question of the time was why they let the situation reach a point where it threatens’ the government, Sattar asked, adding that indulging in such practices would leave no one in the government.
Talking about the PTI procession scheduled to be held in Karachi on December 25, Sattar said that every party, whether political or religious, had the democratic right to organise a procession in any part of Pakistan. He said that the MQM supported the right of all parties to hold processions and welcome PTI in Karachi.
(Read: December 25 show: PTI unveils plans for media blitz as rally venue still up in the air)
Altaf Hussain will only return to Pakistan to be Prime Minister
MQM leader and former mayor of Karachi, Mustafa Kamal on Saturday said that while MQM loyalists wished for Altaf Hussain to return to Pakistan, he would only return to Pakistan to take charge of federal government.
He was speaking to a gathering of party loyalists in Karachi at Lal Qila ground.
Correction: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this article suggested that Farooq Sattar had directed comments against PTI. This is incorrect. The error is regretted.
COMMENTS (24)
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@Zoaib You make a good point. MQM seems to be rather confused and talks from both sides of its mouth.
Mqm, ppp, pmln, anp, ji are being criticized for their corruption, murder charges, target killing, sindh card, attack on soverignity through memo gate and what not . But pti is being criticize for imran kahn's ideology which is to make pakistan a welfare stAte by using an islamic model. But ppl who criticize ik for the sake of criticism dont have any idea that imran khan is more liberal and democratic then any other politician. Islamic welfare society is basically a welfare society where minorities will be free to practice their religion and everyone will be equal . Shariah law is another story and imran khan never said that he ll implement sharia law. Dont confuse islamic model and sharia law . According to pti's manifesto , pti believes in democracy and discourage the politics of family monarchy, which ppp and pml n are both to be blamed for. Just because he use the word islam , so called liberals criticize him . And yes they do have feudal lords in their party. But who doesnt? Ppp full of waderay, pml n full of chaudarys, mqm always support parties like pml q and ppp mainly consist of feudal lords.
I guess MQM supported PPP to keep democracy on track. Because of MQM democratic system got strong in Pakistan. Now it’s in Pakistani people hands, if they don’t like PPP they have to give vote to another party. To get the political system stronger in Pakistan, elected Gov., should complete their term. We should be thankful to MQM to stabilize the Parliaments.
feudalism should end from the politics of Pakistan.
Aey..Sattar Bhai, let's bring Altaf "bhai" back to Pakistan. He will teach a lesson to all these badmash Waderas, Jagirdars, Pirs and Feudals to protect the poor masses of Pakistan. I know Altaf bhai can't afford a return ticket but how about some collection? Or we'll have to wait until next "Bakra Eid" to collect some qurbani ji khalain?
Faqat Altaf Bhai ka Adna Karkun.
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If PTI joins MQM before election then they have a big chance of land slide victory and bring revolutionary change in Pakistan otherwise there will be no fun to make a weak alliance after nonsenses.MQM has the best system of selecting educated candidate from general public.
PTI and ISI should keep in mind the fact that if they try to play any foul politics in Karachi in any time elections, it means they are inviting another "sukoot-e-dhaka".I hope these two parties are aware of the fact that this is 2011 with free media and cyber revolution. MQM openly chellenges any party of Pakistan to fight with them in Karachi or rest of sind honestly and fairly but not with Agression.
There is nothing wrong with PTI bashing except they havnt had their turn yet? "Bhai unhoo na kuch kia hee nahi hai
there is no harm that people are joining pti... the real test will be when pti will give tickets... and one thing common between mqm and pti is that both will bear the cost of mna, mpa election campaign http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAMwQYyKXh4
@ProudPakistani: Whatever dude. the fact is Media is MOST lenient when it comes to PTI! no one other than 2,3 journalists criticize PTI. MEDIA CREATED Imran khan why do you refuse to accept that? its just that the Balloon's air is getting leaked & PTI has already started crying! & why do abuse PPP when it says that media is biased against it? even when its a fact that Media & Courts ARE biased against PPP.
@ProudPakistani: i don't care about lekin or bolta pakistan, because they will keep on howling criticism, no matter what. But, the report of sunday times was serious, because such a well known news paper would not publish something for nothing. Thank god it has retracted it's report, after the filing of case by IK against it...
Yes, We all know that PTI Vice Chairman is the god father of all feudal lords. :D
It is quite strange for MQM to talk against feudalism while sitting in a coalition with PPP, which is filled with feudals. Before pointing their fingers at some feudals in PTI, they should at least assure their potential voters of their sincerity to the cause by resigning from the government. You can't have your cake and eat it too...
@khan: I am a die heart IK supporter, but i think media has done a right thing by criticizing new joining in PTI, which has also given awareness to the insafians and they will protest if parliamentary board gives ticket to a wrong person, which is a good thing. We, the insafians, should not get carried away by the criticism being howled at us. We should understand that every rising party has to face this problem, because once u are going up, candidates from all walks of life tries to approach u, hoping that he will get a ticket..
Bashing does sound good from party who is exercising from last 4 years, in deciding either to be in and out of the Government
Do we really care or are we supposed to vote PPP,PML(N) or MQM once again?? No Never....All these parties have remained in govt. in these four years & sadly these four years were worst in Pakistan's history...Only hope remains in the shape of PTI.. @Realist....PTI is not the only one to complain, today I was watching Saad Rafique of PML(N) complaining the same & we have seen PPP leaders complaining too....but the thing is Criticism on PPP or any other party was not exaggerated one, unlike we see on PTI...Either it's Sunday Times, Lekin, Bolta Pakistan or any other such program..
and oh!!!... i think Mr Sattar has forgotten that they have been the biggest supporter of a feudal President for the last 4 years. It was MQM first, which first considered to make feudal zardari, as president of Pakistan. It was MQM, which took out the rally on 30th October, in the defense of feudal Zardari. So, it is the MQM which has supported the feudalism the most in last 4 years, if not promoted.!!!!!
Feudalism has been deeply entrenched in our under developed areas and it cannot be defeated overnight. We can only get rid of it, by creating the awareness and by uplifting the lives of the people living in these areas and a proper program has to be initiated by a government in this regard, which i must say that any of our government in the past, had been able failed to do so.
PTI's decline , Not so far!
and talking of "feudal politics", i think Mr Sattar should elaborate what he really means. If he is calling the selection of influential politicians in rural areas as promotion of feudalism, then i think he needs to get himself a life. It is a hard reality that the votes are given to candidates in rural areas and not to the parties...............well.....what does a party, who focuses on the politics of Karachi only, knows about rural politics...
@Realist.: Bulls eye!
@Khan: Learn to face criticism. Im sure you didnt notice PPP, PMLN bashing in 3-4 years.
@khan: So you Guys Loved PPP bashing all the time ? Thats what satifies you? is PTI as sacred cow that they cannot be bashed? All of the parties are bashed In pakistan. The MEDIA which Promoted Imran Khan All this time as some savior or messiah of this country , when asks a few questions to PTI why do you guys go furious? & yesterday imran Khan said media being used against him , It literally made me laugh , the guy Who covered all media space more than anyone is blaming media itself. High time PTI gets used to it!
Today I browsed through TV channels and the most popular topic of discussion was PTI bashing. I hate to believe that all the other topics have run out